Republicans fall in line against final push to expand felon voting rights in Virginia

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Democrats just made an attempt to revive the constitutional amendments on felon voting and same-sex marriage in the full House elections committee.

As expected, Republicans stuck together and blocked the move.

Link to tweet

Republicans fall in line against final push to expand felon voting rights in Virginia - Virginia...
As supporters try a last-ditch push to end Virginia's lifetime felon disenfranchisement policy, few are optimistic House GOP leaders will change

[Claustrum]

1. Why wasn't this done when democrats had a stronger hold on VA?

Why do this now that republican had the best mid term year in the last 10+ years?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. In Virginia, changes to the constitution require a vote held two years in a row.

Sometime like that. I'll have to look that up.

[Claustrum]

3. But still, that doesn't explain why it wasn't done when we had a bigger majority.

Or why not wait till we gain some seats back.

[Dave in VA]

4. Old Jim Crow era law

This was a way to limit non whites from voting. Trump up some charges and charge as a felony. If (as in always) followed by conviction, they loose the right to vote for the rest of their lives.

To change or add an amendment to the VA constitution the General Assembly must pass the same bill in both houses in two consecutive sessions with an interviening election of General Assembly members.

All of this is old holdover crap from the Harry Byrd machine era. It is still popular in conservative areas and has been very difficult to make changes.

There's more to it, but hope this helps somewhat.





PS: I wish they would say former felons.